Thousands expected at free yoga mega-class in Mizner New Year’s Day

Update: Registration was up to nearly 1,000 five days before Yoga Journey’s fifth annual free yoga class New Year’s Day in Mizner Park Amphitheater. “We’re up to 978 and they are coming in steadily,” studio founder Leslie Glick reported Friday. Last year’s event drew 2,000 yoga enthusiasts.

Here’s the link to expedite the security check at Something Big starting 10 a.m. Jan. 1. The class starts at 11 a.m. and the event with a marketplace lasts until 2:30 p.m.

Yoga Journey founder Leslie Glickman offered followers a free class in Mizner Amphitheater on New Year’s Day five years ago. She wasn’t sure who would show.

“Last year, we had 2,000 people, and each year there’s a little bit more, so the momentum is there,” she told Boca Voice.

People are asked to bring their own mat and pre-register for Something Big Yoga on Jan. 1 for faster check-in. Click here for something big yoga.

The yoga event opens at 10 a.m. The free class is at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There’s a Jumbotron screen this year, so everyone can see the stage during the class. The event stays open to 2:30 p.m. “People really linger,” Glickman said. “Once people come out of the practice and shop, they’ll be hungry.”

There’s a marketplace with vendors in the amphitheater. Three food trucks with vegan and healthy eats will be parked on the field next door. Recording artist DJ drez comes in from California for this gig.

Their first Shine the Light Award will go to Connected Warriors. The nonprofit uses trauma-conscious yoga to help veterans with coping skills.

Yoga Journey will do a cell phone donation and there’s a donation link on the Yoga Journey site. Connected Warriors will be introduced on stage and have a booth.

Something Big Yoga free event 2017.

“An event this size elevates us as individuals and as a community,” Glickman said. “This is our giving back to the community to let them come and gather for free and we can pay it forward one more step.

“That day we have 10 yoga studios partnering with us from Miami to Jupiter,” Glickman said. “So it’s about everyone coming together and creating something bigger.”

Glickman’s studio is in the Wyndham Hotel in Boca. This is her seventh year offering free yoga sponsored by the city from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays in Sanborn Square.